Trial to begin for Lynn carjacking suspects

SALEM – Opening statements and evidence will begin Monday in Salem Superior Court in the trial of two Lynn men charged in connection with the armed carjacking, robbery and kidnapping of a 30-year-old Lynn man in December 2008, defense attorney Mark Schmidt said Wednesday.Brian Rivera, 23, and Luis Espinosa, 31, are charged with armed assault to murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, armed carjacking and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.On Dec. 22, 2008, Rivera and Espinosa flagged a 30-year-old delivery driver down on Washington Street and asked for a ride to Pacific Street, to which he agreed, according to Lynn Police reports. During the ride, the alleged victim noticed a gun in Rivera?s waistband, the reports said, and when he stopped his car, Espinosa grabbed him around the neck from behind and started beating him while Rivera allegedly pointed his gun at him.They also allegedly took the victim?s wallet and dumped him out of the car on Windsor Avenue in Swampscott, and then fired several shots in his direction as he ran away, according to police reports.Attorneys selected 11 jurors Wednesday before exhausting the jury pool, and will resume jury selection this morning before suspending the trial until Monday, Schmidt said. Rivera, who is not in custody, wore a gray dress shirt and was accompanied by a female. Espinosa, who is currently in custody at Essex Correctional Facility and is being represented by Kirk Bransfield of Lynn, wore glasses and his hair in two braids, a black pinstripe shirt and jeans. The co-defendants occasionally spoke to each other in Spanish.During selection, Judge Howard Whitehead asked the potential jurors a series of questions, including whether or not they would be fair and impartial in a case in which all parties involved are Hispanic.Taylor Provost can be reached at [email protected].